In the previous game, before a raucous crowd at Nationals Park, Jayson Werth did what has come to be expected from him in the first year of his gigantic contract with Washington. He struck out three times — twice looking — against his former team, the Philadelphia Phillies. The third-largest crowd in stadium history booed, which might have caused one to wonder: Were the catcalls coming from fans of his former team or his current one?

On Monday against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Werth turned in a completely different performance. He collected two hits, including a three-run homer to the opposite field in the fourth inning, to power the Nationals to a 4-1 win behind a strong start from left-hander Ross Detwiler.

Under the weight of his new contract and the enormous pressure that ensues, Werth hasn't been himself much of his first year with the Nationals. At times, he has talked about how his struggles have made him feel and how he has worked to improve. And every time he mustered a strong performance, fans wondered if Werth was finally breaking out of his long slump.

This time, following his 2-for-4 night before an announced crowd of 19,377, Werth insisted he felt like he has found his swing. Against Diamondbacks left-hander Joe Saunders, a graduate of West Springfield High, Werth was keyed in from the start. After the game, the 6-foot-5 right fielder admitted that recent work in drills have "helped me come back inside the ball."